Romalea

Romalea is a genus of grasshoppers native to the Southeastern and South-central United States. Its single species is Romalea microptera, known commonly as the eastern lubber grasshopper, Florida lubber, or Florida lubber grasshopper. It is the most distinctive grasshopper species within the Southeastern US, and is well known for its size and its unique coloration.[1] It can reach nearly 3 inches (8 cm) in size.

It is the type genus and species of the relatively new family Romaleidae and tribe Romaleini, and was long known as Romalea microptera before being moved to Romalea guttata.[2] After new research, though, the remaining names (including guttata) have been marked as nomina oblita and microptera takes priority once more.[3]

Lifecycle
Adult stage (bottom) and nymph stage (top)

R. microptera grows through several stages, like all insects. When in the nymph stage, it is smaller than in the adult stage, wingless, and completely black with one or more yellow, orange, or red stripes. In the adult stage, it reaches 2.5–3 in (64–76 mm), grows wings half the length of its body, and become either a dull yellow often characterized by black spots and markings, a bright orange with black markings, or entirely black (as in the nymph stage) with yellow or red striping. In the black adult color phase, the grasshopper is widely known by the name "diablo" or "black diablo". In Louisiana, they are known as the "devil's horse" or cheval-diable. The insect is also colloquially known as a "graveyard grasshopper". In Mississippi, they are known as the "giant locust".[4]
Range

R. microptera inhabits regions west of North Carolina to Tennessee, in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas, and throughout Florida, Missouri, and Arizona. They live in open pinewoods, weedy vegetation, and weedy fields. Sometimes, these grasshoppers live in sewers, since grass and other food sources accumulate there.[1]
Size and wings

This species can reach nearly 3 in (76 mm) in size. Their wings are rarely half the length of the abdomen; most of the time, they are much smaller, and cannot be used for flight.[1]
Defense
Eastern lubber grasshopper expanding its wings

R. microptera has several defense strategies. The first is its brightly colored pattern (aposematism to warn predators that it emits a foul-smelling and foul-tasting, foamy secretion from its thorax when it is disturbed. The secretion is dark colored and opaque. It also lets off a loud hissing sound that can scare animals.[1]
Gallery

Female eastern lubber grasshopper (R. microptera) in Everglades National Park, Florida

Close-up of R. microptera from the Everglades

Nymph R. microptera with its characteristic black and yellow-striped body

Lubber grasshopper, Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Delray, Florida

Adult dark morph, University of Mississippi Field Station

R. microptera, Fort Myers, Florida

R. microptera at Bear Island Campground in the Big Cypress National Preserve

References

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Capinera, John; Scherer, C. W. (October 1996). "eastern lubber grasshopper - Romalea guttata (Houttuyn)". University of Florida. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
D. K. M. Kevan (1980). "Romalea guttata (Houttuyn), name change for well-known "eastern lubber grasshopper" (Orthoptera: Romaleidae)". Entomological News. 91 (4): 139–140.
"Species Romalea microptera - Eastern Lubber Grasshopper". Bugguide.net. August 1, 2014. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
Fox, Richard (October 6, 2006). "Romalea microptera, Eastern Lubber Grasshopper". Invertebrate Anatomy Online. Lander University. Archived from the original on February 19, 2012. Retrieved April 4, 2011.